The Golden Eagles (7-4, 5-2 Conference USA) can earn a spot in the conference championship game with a win Saturday against East Carolina.

Young went 12-for-21 for 276 yards. The Golden Eagles led 34-28 at the end of the third quarter and scored 10 unanswered points to put the game out of reach. DeAndre Brown had touchdown catches of 95 and 34 yards.

The Golden Hurricane (4-7, 2-5), have lost six straight games and will miss a bowl game for the first time since 2004.

"It's really disappointing," sait Tulsa coach Todd Graham. "I can't think of anything else right now except for our seniors. We came down here with a great focus.

"There's been a lot of negativity and these guys don't deserve it. These guys have won more football games than any group that's ever been at our school. We haven't gotten it done this year. We've fallen short and turned the football over a lot."

Charles Clay ran for two touchdowns for Tulsa and caught two touchdown passes.